ENGLISH
REFERENCE

toddler

n.
US //ˈtɑdɫɝ// UK //tˈɒdlɐ// tod·dler
  1. 1 young child (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a young child who has recently learned to walk, usually between one and three years old.

    a child in the early stage of development, specifically between infancy and preschool age, who is beginning to walk independently.

    Example

    The toddler took a few shaky steps across the living room before falling down.

    Example

    Parents often find the toddler years challenging as children begin to assert their independence while still lacking refined motor control and emotional regulation.

    Usage

    often used to describe the specific needs or behaviors of children in this age group.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse 'toddler' with 'baby' (infant) or 'child' (general); emphasize that 'toddler' specifically refers to the walking-learning stage.

Origin

From toddle (“to walk unsteadily”) + -er – literally “one who walks unsteadily”, hence a young child.

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